JPS6049785B2 - Torsional vibration damper assembly - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to torsional vibration damper assemblies.

It is well known to use vibratory tampers in clutch assemblies for automobile clutches in front of manual transmissions, or in torsion connections between drive and driven shafts. In addition, a lock-up clutch (10ck-Upcl) is installed in the torque converter of the automatic transmission.
If a torsional vibration is inserted, a vibration damper is required in the direct drive mode of the torque converter because torsional vibrations are not damped by hydraulic operation. Previously filed by the present applicant, U.S. Patent Application No. 80198, filed May 3, 1977, and U.S. Patent Application No. 860,348, filed December 14, 1977, there are A floating equalizer supported by a hub connected to a shaft
): Various types of torsional vibration dampers are disclosed for torsional coupling devices that utilize D.

In each of said applications, two or more groups of springs are adapted to act in parallel by sets of two or more springs within each group. Said 4
In Patent Application No. 80198, the sets of springs in each group are separated from each other to prevent friction and wear on the ends of the springs by the shape of the arms of each floating equalizer. There is. No. 860,348, each equalizer arm forms a spring envelope that accommodates the ends of two adjacent spring sets, and a generally V-shaped lock separation device is inserted into the equalizer groove. and a tab received therein for retaining the separating device and separating the spring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a torsional vibration damper assembly having an improved spring isolation device received in an arm disposed in the opposite direction of a floating equalizer or transmission member in a torsional vibration damper as described above. It is.

A self-locating isolation device is located on each equalizer arm to compensate for differences in the lengths of the damper spring sets. Each equalizer arm has an axially aligned window that receives the seven ends of the separator so that each window can compensate for relatively large changes in the overall length of the damper spring. ing. The window allows the separator to move in position, eliminate uneven loads, and prevent failures from occurring. Another object of the present invention is to provide a torsional vibration damper assembly having an improved floating equalizer supported on a hub instead of having two floating equalizers as previously described.

This improved equalizer is joined together by a pair of oppositely disposed circumferential flanges, one in each of which accommodates the majority of three spring sets in two parallel groups.
Contains paired plates. Two sets of axially aligned windows are located on each side of a centerline through the drive engagement member and receive the ends of the spring isolation device.

These windows are arcuate to allow a limited amount of movement of each separator by the force of the compression springs when torque is applied. Both separating devices can therefore be moved with the rotational movement of the equalizer. Still another object is to provide a torsional vibration damper assembly as described above which is of the simplest, most efficient, economical, easy to assemble and well-operated construction, and in view of such objects, advantages and Capabilities are explained in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A method of carrying out the invention will now be described in detail without giving specific examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a torsional vibration damper assembly 10 suitable for use in a lock-up clutch of a torque converter (not shown), in which a piston plate 11 defines an annular friction surface 12 proximate the outer periphery 13 for engagement with the inner surface of the torque converter housing and has an inner annular flange 14 bounding a central opening 15.

A pair of oppositely disposed drive engagement members 17 are secured to the piston plate 11 by rivets 16 or the like, each engagement member having a generally arcuate base 18 and an inwardly disposed portion within the damper assembly. It has a protrusion 19 with a bent position that extends toward the user. The protrusion 19 has inwardly converging side edges that generally coincide with the side edges of the arms of the hub described below. The hub assembly 22 includes a hub barrel 23 and first and second hub plates 28 that are riveted together.
and 36.

The hub barrel has a generally cylindrical body which is internally splined at 25 and has a counterbore opening 27 for a shoulder 26 and a rivet 24 for purposes described below. The first hub plate 28 is internally splined at 29;
It includes a flat annular body with an opening 31 for the rivet 24. A pair of arms 32 disposed in opposite directions are bent slightly at a point 33 and smoothed, and terminate in a tongue piece 34 extending in the circumferential direction.
extends outward from the body of the

These arms have outwardly flared side edges 35 that generally align with the side edges of the projection 19 of the driveline combiner. Second
The hub plate 36 is also internally splined at 37 and has a generally annular flat body provided with an opening 38 for the rivet 24.

A pair of oppositely disposed arms 39 extend from this body and are bent at 41 and slightly offset.

These arms have enlarged side ends 40 (FIG. 3) terminating in circumferentially extending tongues 42 that are substantially the same shape as the side edges of the arms of first hub plate 28. Extending axially forward from the hub plate 36 are a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate flanges 43 (FIG. 2) forming outer shoulders. When assembled, the splines 25, 29 and 37 of the hub barrel and first and second hub plates are axially aligned to receive the splined end of the transmission input shaft (not shown). A rivet 24 is threaded through axially aligned openings 27, 31 and 38 to form a head and secure these three members together. First and second hub plates 28 and 36 as shown in FIG.
arms 32 and 39 are respectively bent in opposite directions and shifted in position, and the protrusions 1 extending inwardly of the drive engagement device 17
A circumferentially extending groove 44 is formed for receiving the groove 9 . A pair of floating equalizers 45 and 46 are supported on the shoulders 26 of the hub assembly 22 and the shoulders of the flange 43, with each equalizer attached to the front and rear plates 4.
7 and 48, rear plate 48 is shown in FIG.

This plate 48 has a central opening 51 supported on the shoulder 26.
and a generally annular flat portion 49 having a pair of oppositely disposed, slightly outwardly and then inwardly curved arms 52, 52, approximately half the circumference of the arms. It curves sharply inwardly terminating in a circumferential flange 53 having spaced apertures 54 (FIGS. 2 and 5). A slightly elongated window 55 is formed in the curved portion of the arm, and a recessed portion 56 is provided directly outside the window 55. The remaining portion of the arm periphery forms a curved edge 57 suitable for receiving hub arms 32, 39 in a manner described below. The front equalizer plate 47 is substantially the same as the rear plate 48 except that the arms have a peripheral edge with less overall curvature as shown in FIG.

The circumferential flanges 53 of the pair of plates are suitably secured together by rivets 58 received in openings 54. The plates of the equalizer 45 are supported on the shoulders 26 and 43, respectively, at the inner side 5 of the plate of the equalizer 46, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The elongated windows 55 in each pair of plates are axially aligned to receive a spring isolation device 61. As shown more clearly in FIG. 8, the spring separation device is formed from sheet metal bent so as to take the shape of an elongated pin having a generally triangular .theta. cross-section. The pin has a curved base 62 and generally converging sides 63, opposite ends of which are cut off at 64 to form the base 6.
A protrusion 65 is formed projecting from 2 and projects into the window 55 of the arm, so that the cutout 64 abuts the inner surface of the arm and the base 62 abuts the recessed portion 56 (FIG. 7). That is, as will be described later, when assembled, each protrusion 6 of the pin
5 is received in each one of the pairs of axially aligned windows 55 such that the base 62 abuts the edge of the recessed portion 56 and the lower edge of the cutout portion 64 abuts the inner surface of the adjacent plate. It is. Two groups of spring sets 66, 67, 68 are incorporated into the damper and engage the sides 63, 63 of the arm or respective separation device 61, and the spring sets 66, 68
It is also adapted to abut the enlarged side edges 35 of the arms 32, 39 of the hub.

Elongated window 55 allows a limited amount of movement of separation device 61, as shown in FIG. 4, and is adapted to compensate for differences in the lengths of the spring sets. The separating device is thus naturally adjusted in position within a limited range of movement to prevent uneven loading during operation. As shown in FIG. 4, each separation device 61 has a limited amount of movement within the window as indicated by X. In operation, torque is imparted to piston plate 11 by friction surface 12 engaging the inner surface of the torque converter housing, causing rotation of piston plate 11 and thus rotation of drive engagement device 17.

The drive engagement device rotates counterclockwise relative to the hub arms 32 and 39 within a groove 44 formed between the hub arms 32 and 39 as shown in FIGS. Compress 66 and curvature the equalizer plate. The curved edges 57, 57 are the protrusions 19 of the drive engagement device 17.
movement into the space formed between the edges 57, 57. When the spring 66 is compressed, the separating device 61 in the equalizer 45 moves into abutment against the far edge of the window 55 away from the spring 66, as shown in FIGS. 45 to compress the central spring 67. When this central spring 67 is compressed, it moves the spring separation device 61 in the equalizer 46 against the edge of the window 55 remote from the spring 67, causing the equalizer 46 to rotate. . Movement of the equalizer and associated isolation device compresses the spring 68 forcing the arms 32, 39 of the hub assembly 22 to rotate, thus rotating the transmission input shaft. The curved edges 57 of the equalizer 46 provide a space or gap for receiving the arms 32, 39 of the hub when the equalizer is rotated relative to the hub assembly. 9-11 show a second embodiment of a torsional vibration damper assembly 71, in which parts similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-8 are designated by the suffix a. They are indicated by the same symbols with .

This assembly includes a piston plate 11a having a drive engagement device 17a attached by rivets 16a;
It includes a hub assembly 22a including a hub arm having a circumferentially extending groove for receiving a drive engagement device, and a floating equalizer 72 supported by the hub assembly. The equalizer includes a pair of substantially identical plates 73, 73 forming a spring housing, the rear plate 73 being shown in FIGS. 9-11. The plate is supported by the hub assembly 22a and includes a pair of diametrically opposed curved arms 77 having a central aperture 75 and a circumferential flange 78 having spaced apertures 79 for receiving rivets 81. a slightly outwardly curved and then inwardly curved portion 76 terminating in
It includes a flat annular body portion 74 having a flat annular body portion 74 . Disposed within this curved portion 76 are two pairs of elongated windows 82, each pair of windows being disposed in diametrically opposite directions within the arc of the arm 77.

Both the front and rear plates have windows 82 which are axially aligned within the plates to receive the protrusion 65a of the spring isolation device 61a or 6'a. allows for arcuate movement of the separator between positions A and B as shown in FIG. 11 (viewed from the back of FIG. 22a as well as the movement of the spring separation devices 61a, 6'a assists in the damping action. When torque is applied to the drive engagement device 17a via the piston plate 11a, the drive engagement device 17a is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9, and the damper spring 66a
and press the spring separating device 61a to move it from position A to position B within the window 82, compressing the spring 67a and
7a presses the second spring separating device 61''a against the edge of the window in which it is located, causing the equalizer 72 to rotate.The movement of the separating device 6''a also compresses the third set of springs. , this spring energizes the hub assembly 22a to rotate and drive the input shaft as described above.
It can also operate in the opposite direction.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of one embodiment of a torsional vibration damper assembly according to the present invention attached to a piston plate of a lock-up clutch of a torque converter. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the torsional vibration damper assembly taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial rear elevation cross-sectional view of the vibration damper assembly removed from the piston plate input device.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the self-positioning isolation device within the Equalizer. Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the plate forming the floating equalizer. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but with a portion of the separation device shown in elevation; FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the self-locating spring separation device. FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of a modified embodiment of a vibration damper assembly coupled to a piston plate according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the plate forming one side of the floating equalizer. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged elevational view of the self-positioning separation device within the equalizer. 10,71...
- Torsional vibration damper assembly, 11, 11a... Zeston plate, 12... Annular friction surface, 14
...Inner annular flange, 15...Central opening, 1
7, 17a... Drive engagement device, 22, 22a...
...Hub assembly, 28, 36...Hub plate, 32, 39, 77...Arm, 44...
・Groove, 45, 46, 72...Equalizer, 4
7,48,73...Plate, 55,82・Window, 6
1,61a,6 "a...Separation device, 65,65
a...Protrusion, 66, 67, 68, 66a, 67
a, 68a... Spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Input member 11 operatively associated with a torque input device
a hub assembly operatively connected to a torque output device and having a pair of oppositely extending radial arms 32, 39; and at least one floating equalizer 45 supported by the hub assembly. 46 or 72, and damper springs 66, 67, 68; 66a, 67a, 6 interposed between the arm of the hub assembly and the equalizer.
8a and a pair of drive engagement members 17 having inwardly extending protrusions 19 attached to the input member and extending into and engaging the passages of the damper springs.
and transmitting torque between the drive and driven members, wherein the arms 32, 39 of the hub assembly each have a circumferentially extending groove 44 for receiving a protrusion on the drive engagement member. In the torsional vibration damper assembly 10, the equalizer defines a substantially enclosed recess for the damper spring having a pair of axially aligned elongated windows 55, 82, and a spring isolation device. 61,6
1'a extends between and projects into the axially aligned pairs of windows to separate adjacent damper springs, the windows being connected to the separating device within the equalizer. A torsional vibration damper assembly characterized in that it is capable of limited circular arc motion. 2. The torsional vibration damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein the spring separating devices 61, 61a, 61'a are formed from elongated plate-shaped metal members bent so that the cross-sectional shape is approximately triangular. Three-dimensional. 3. A portion of the edge of the separation device is cut away 64 to form a portion 65, 65a that protrudes into the respective window 55, 82 and a shoulder portion that engages with the equalizer body. The torsional vibration damper assembly described. 4 A pair of floating equalizers 45, 46 are supported on the hub assembly, each equalizer including a pair of generally parallel plates 47, 48, each plate having a circumferential flange 53 secured thereto. A torsional vibration damper as claimed in claim 3 having a pair of oppositely disposed curved arms 52 terminating at , each arm having an elongated window 55 for receiving one end of a spring isolation device 61 . assembly. 5 Curved outer portion 7 of the floating equalizer 72
7 and a pair of oppositely disposed circumferential flanges 78 .
a pair of generally parallel annular plates 73 joined together by said respective plates 73 connected to said spring isolation device 6;
4. A torsional vibration damper assembly as claimed in claim 3 having two pairs of oppositely disposed elongated windows 82 for receiving the ends of 1a, 61'a. 6. The window 82 of the two plates 73 is axially aligned and of sufficient length to allow movement of the separating device 61a, 61'a to cause compression of the damper spring. The torsional vibration damper assembly according to item 5. 7. The damper springs 66a, 67a, 68a are arranged in two groups, and the three spring sets in each group act in parallel, and the central spring set in each group is the spring separating device 61a,
61'a and adapted to push the spring isolation device outwardly toward the distal end of the equalizer window. .